The Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program has been developed to meet the challenges of educating US PhD scientists and engineers who will pursue careers in research and education with the interdisciplinary backgrounds, deep knowledge in chosen disciplines, and technical, professional, and personal skills to become, in their own careers, leaders and creative agents for change. The program is intended to catalyze a cultural change in graduate education for students, faculty, and institutions by establishing innovative models for graduate education and training in a fertile environment for collaborative research that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. It is also intended to facilitate diversity in student participation and preparation, and to contribute to the development of a diverse, globally engaged, science and engineering workforce.

MU is limited to four preliminary applications for this program. One of those slots has been reserved to resubmit a proposal that reviewed well but was not funded in last year’s competition. Letters of intent for the remaining three slots must be submitted to the Office of Research, ltdsub@missouri.edu, no later than 5:00 pm Friday, February 3, 2006. Letters of intent should be limited to a 3-page summary of the proposed program, including information on 1) the interdisciplinary theme; 2) plans for graduate education and research; 3) recruitment, mentoring and retention; 4) program assessment and 4) organizational structure of the program.

Amount:

The first year award will be up to $400,000 and in amounts up to $600,000 for each of the next four years.